Fall foliage predictions (Franklin, Verona, Blue Ridge: home, camping, live)

[VALOVE]

My husband, daugher and I are taking a road trip in mid to late October from South Carolina to Virginia, which will include some time on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We have been looking forward to this for a long time, since we live on the west coast, and never get to experience the beautiful fall folliage you have in that part of the country. Now I have some concerns, which I am hoping are completely unfouded. My husband was speaking with a client in Ohio, who said they are expecting a very dull fall. He said the rainfall was so low this winter, that a lot of the leaves where he lives are turning brown and already falling from the trees. Please tell me this isn't the case in Virginia!

[EricD]

Well, we had a lot of days this summer over 100 degrees, and this does tend to hurt the colors when fall hits. I think you should be ok. The leaves might not be the best they ever have been, but I'm sure they'll still be great to see. You're going at a good time.

I hope your trip turns out perfect.

[seanpecor]

I'd put money on an intense color season in SWVA along the parkway. The drought wasn't nearly as bad as it was south and west of us. In light rain seasons the reds are much more vivid, which at least in my neck of the woods (Boones Mill area of Franklin County, VA), with our dense oaks, imparts a surreal landscape.

This picture was taken last year around October 16th:



These two pictures were taken around October 27th:





Sean

[VALOVE]

That's good to hear. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos, Sean!

[SCBeaches]

Wow! Those are breathtaking photos...I can't wait for Fall. I bought land up (Scott County) there last November so I plan to go up to enjoy the Fall weather and beautiful leaves in October, on my own mountain land!! Yippee! (One of these days I might even be able to afford to build a home on it ) LOL

[poohki]

seanpecor: I have lived in Va almost my whole life, and I never get tired of seeing our beautiful fall colors. Being able to see the mountains in fall, who could ever ask for more!

Thank you so much for the great pictures!

[Wi_Girl]

Originally Posted by seanpecor

I'd put money on an intense color season in SWVA along the parkway. The drought wasn't nearly as bad as it was south and west of us. In light rain seasons the reds are much more vivid, which at least in my neck of the woods (Boones Mill area of Franklin County, VA), with our dense oaks, imparts a surreal landscape.

This picture was taken last year around October 16th:



These two pictures were taken around October 27th:





Sean

EXCELLENT PICTURES!!! We always take a family camping trip to Verona, VA in October. We're going the first week of October this year and I'm worried that the colors wont be as good. I'm thinking about planning a late October trip too.